Build from cheapest components

[bigAL23]

I am looking to build an average consumer desktop. I don't do a lot of intensive stuff. I just surf a lot and watch YouTube videos and other online video content. I hate when I have to wait for "hangups", waiting for the video to play or catch up. I know there are various reasons for this. I just don't want my system to be the cause. I would like to build to handle the highest resolution possible smoothly.
I want to do it cheaply and I don't mind taking a risk on used ebay parts if they are cheap enough.
I have some parts already:
a GeForce 9600 GSO video card (just purchased for cheap),
an Antec MCA tower,
Sun Cheer SS300FS 300w power supply,
msi 845e max ms-6566e motherboard,
no RAM,
there is a Pentium cpu (looked at it once but it and mb probably going to go, so no need to look again),
heat sink and fan,
dvd drive

I generally go to cpubenchmark.net to rate cpu and video cards because it's quick and dirty. I have seen other sites with more complicated means and metrics to rate systems but haven't taken the time to learn all of the complexities.

I welcome your input to solve the best for the cheapest problem (garnering a little financial risk). For example I noticed a bunch of different AMD Opteron Quad core cpu for under $20 on ebay. The website I referenced had them catagorized under Multi Cpu Systems (originally for servers ?). I'm not savvy enough to know if there is still a way to make a good usable system.

 

[esrever]

you'd need cpus to fit motherboards and most of those won't be easy to find for a opterons.

how much do you have to spend? That motherboard is way too old and won't be useful for anything imo. The 9600 gso will make a good video card for a system you described.

I'd say you want to buy a new system probably based around an athlon x2 which will be less than $100 for both if you can find them. Maybe you can find some Core 2 duos for cheap with the motherboard which would also work.

Make sure you buy the right ram for the motherboard.

I'd say it would take $100-$150 to make the system run.

 

[jay_nar2012]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Compaq-dc7100-dc7100c-3-6-GHz-160GB-HDD-1-GB-PP266US-ABA-Desktop-Computer-/261051930485?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item3cc7e85775

 

[bigAL23]

I don't want to spend more than $ 500 overall, but that will have to be done piece at a time as well. However the better the bargains I can find the faster it all comes together. The biggest expense will be the monitor which I want to be big enough to watch some dvds from a distance on occasion (probably a 26-32").

 

[bigAL23]

What is the most important issue in being able to watch online content in HD without lag, buffering, etc. when building a system..picking components ?

 

[jay_nar2012]

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-i620-1298BK-Inspiron-Desktop/dp/B006WYVGC4/ref=pd_sim_pc_65

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?LH_ItemCondition=4&_sacat=0&_nkw=computer%20monitor&_pppn=r1&_dmpt=Computer_Monitors&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo&_udhi=50

 

[esrever]

What is the most important issue in being able to watch online content in HD without lag, buffering, etc. when building a system..picking components ?

you can buy an all new system with a monitor for about $500. I'd say they should be able to view HD content. Most important part of the pc when viewing HD content is a graphics card with hardware HD decoding. The 9600 is ok for that, or should suffice and just about any newer computer should be able to stream in 1080p.

 

[jay_nar2012]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157173
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-2-Duo-E6600-2-4-GHz-Dual-Core-Processor-/180939838453?pt=CPUs&hash=item2a20dad3f5
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4GB-2x2GB-Kingston-dual-channel-desktop-RAM-800-DDR2-PC2-6400-KVR800D2N5-2G-/110926640908?pt=US_Memory_RAM_&hash=item19d3be370c

 

[bigAL23]

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php

If you click on the CPU Value column a couple of times and get the ranking from highest value to lowest, you'll see the AMD Athlon II X4 631 Quad-Core in the second ranked position at $67. At over 4700 it rates better than my Toshiba laptop ($450) with a i5-2450m rated just above 3500. Then pair that cpu with decent board and an avg hard drive...oh yeah some RAM...then I'm set. Opinions on that cpu ?

 

[bigAL23]

btw it that 300w power supply adequate ?

 

[esrever]

Its a good cpu but I'd just buy a A6 APU if you are looking at cpus from thats socket., which will come with integrated graphics with better HD decode than the 9600 gso.

Generally all CPUs with 50% of eachother will show next to no difference in everyday computing performance. Passmark is also very bad for deciding imo. The benchmark isn't good and also the prices are never right.

 

[bigAL23]

Its a good cpu but I'd just buy a A6 APU if you are looking at cpus from thats socket., which will come with integrated graphics with better HD decode than the 9600 gso.

Generally all CPUs with 50% of eachother will show next to no difference in everyday computing performance. Passmark is also very bad for deciding imo. The benchmark isn't good and also the prices are never right.

I said it was a "quick and dirty" site. Where can I go for better evaluations / comparisons ? When I get there what am I to look for in relation to the ability to display video better than another cpu/motherboard ?

 

[dish_moose]

That 300W sun cheer is likely going to bring you anything but cheer. Spend $40-50 bucks on a Corsair and worry less about when your psu is going to let you down.
-Bruce

 

[esrever]

cpus don't really matter when playing video these days. You just need a graphics card capable of it. I'd say a llano A6-3500 or A6-3650 will be good for you. they will both do what you need them to do but the 3650 is more powerful if you were to use it for other things.

this cpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103951
with this motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157277
with ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104203

all will be $150, you just need a hard drive, monitor and key and mouse after. Might want to buy a new power supply because the one you have might be old and unreliable.

 

[bigAL23]

That 300W sun cheer is likely going to bring you anything but cheer. Spend $40-50 bucks on a Corsair and worry less about when your psu is going to let you down.
-Bruce

what wattage...btw that's what I was thinking...suncheer sounds like a cheap asian brand

 

[esrever]

you don't need a high wattage one but one thats quality, generally something with a reputable brand.

 

[bigAL23]

cpus don't really matter when playing video these days. You just need a graphics card capable of it. I'd say a llano A6-3500 or A6-3650 will be good for you. they will both do what you need them to do but the 3650 is more powerful if you were to use it for other things.

this cpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103951
with this motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157277
with ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104203

all will be $150, you just need a hard drive, monitor and key and mouse after. Might want to buy a new power supply because the one you have might be old and unreliable.

I feel good about these picks....btw what sites for info are good for other future builds ?

 

[esrever]

generally you can google "building computer guide" or something and there are ussually guides with different budgets. You can also post what you choose on a forum such as this and people will help you with it.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Mousemonkey

 

[bigAL23]

Best answer selected by bigAL23.

 

[PSVfootball]

I am looking to build an average consumer desktop. I don't do a lot of intensive stuff. I just surf a lot and watch YouTube videos and other online video content. I hate when I have to wait for "hangups", waiting for the video to play or catch up. I know there are various reasons for this. I just don't want my system to be the cause. I would like to build to handle the highest resolution possible smoothly.
I want to do it cheaply and I don't mind taking a risk on used ebay parts if they are cheap enough.
I have some parts already:
a GeForce 9600 GSO video card (just purchased for cheap),
an Antec MCA tower,
Sun Cheer SS300FS 300w power supply,
msi 845e max ms-6566e motherboard,
no RAM,
there is a Pentium cpu (looked at it once but it and mb probably going to go, so no need to look again),
heat sink and fan,
dvd drive

I generally go to cpubenchmark.net to rate cpu and video cards because it's quick and dirty. I have seen other sites with more complicated means and metrics to rate systems but haven't taken the time to learn all of the complexities.

I welcome your input to solve the best for the cheapest problem (garnering a little financial risk). For example I noticed a bunch of different AMD Opteron Quad core cpu for under $20 on ebay. The website I referenced had them catagorized under Multi Cpu Systems (originally for servers ?). I'm not savvy enough to know if there is still a way to make a good usable system.

He could also go for one of those new chromebooks, laptops, designed for web browsing and watching videos, only for 350€

http://www.laptopshop.nl/product/132920/samsung-xe500c21-a01nl-chromebook.html